What happened
During a nighttime cruise, the pilot lost situational awareness and became disoriented. Unable to regain visual reference or navigate effectively, the aircraft descended into the Gulf of Finland off the coast of Sestroretsk. The plane made an uncontrolled impact with the icy water surface, leading to its destruction. Search efforts failed to locate either of the two individuals on board.
Findings
The incident was attributed to the pilot's loss of orientation during night operations. The harsh environmental conditions, including low visibility and cold temperatures, likely contributed to the difficulty in recovery and the subsequent loss of life.